new guy thinking about a Challenge car for the street & track

[Jim1855]

Hi,

I’m a new guy, well new to Factory Five, not new to Cobras. I’ve been reading (lurking) for a few weeks and am impressed with the knowledge and assistance offered. This seems to be a great place to hang out and share ideas.

I currently have a Superformance MkIII roadster, but want a car more suitable for track use. Disposition of the current car is yet undecided, but will it most likely be sold.

So I’m thinking about the FFR Challenge Car. What I want is a fast, light and fun track day (HPDE) car that I can license for the street in Michigan. No intentions at this time of running the Challenge series so this opens up the world of options without rules - perfect. There’s an internal debate (I often loose) as to whether I want a track car to drive on the street or a street car to drive on the track. I hope I can find guidance and suggestions here.

I have a fair amount of track time, high speed runs and 54k miles on my Superformance so I do have a reasonable idea of what I’m asking for and getting into, well, other than the full build & paint stuff and I’m looking forward to learning. I’ll most likely attend the build school before starting.

I’m in the Grand Rapids, MI area, any local owners around GR, Challenge cars in particular? I’d really like to take a closer look and talk about the build process. Learning from someone that’s been there and done that or doing it now would really help.

Jim

[FFRSpec72]

Not much difference from a challenge car vs. roadster except some comfort and convenience features. Not sure what you are looking for in particular. My challenge car is street legal and I do drive it on the street and also race wheel to wheel (10-15 weekends a year) My car weighs in at 2600 with driver and 22 gal. fuel (so not that light) but I have lots of side and floor protection that adds weight. The challenge car has lots of protection (mine has been tested), very well built, I have no concerns over my safety when on the track (I can't say that about the street roadster). I think that with the new challenge car rules the car has hit a sweet balance that makes the car fun to drive on the track and yet still be drivable.

[Jim1855]

Tony,

Thank you for the response. I'm looking over the build options, trying to select the right ones the first time. Enhancing the safety cage and other areas as you seem to have done would be important. I have an aluminum 427 Windsor ready to go but transmission options are still under evaluation.

Additional information or opinions on the 3-link, 4-link and IRS rear suspensions need to be gathered, I don't know enough about the solid axle rear ends or how they compare to IRS for handling and performance.

As you well know there are many decisions prior to starting the build.

Thanks,

Jim

[Mark Dougherty]

jim




i would enjoy helping you spec out your build.
give me a ring and
i will help you out.
later
mark D

[FFRSpec72]

This not a complete list but things I would look at are: (if you don’t have to stay within the challenge series rules):

1. Cage improvements, a California halo
2. Side and floor impact reinforcements
3. Seat belt mount improvements
4. Split body or tilt body
5. MKIV Spindles
6. 3 Link (maybe IRS, never driven one)
7. TKO 500 with mid shift or T5z with S10 Tail shaft
8. Fire system
9. Quick release windshield (if you are going to drive on street)
10. Quick jack elimination
11. Brake ducts for cooling
12. Quick release steering wheel
13. Adjustable driver’s seat
14. Drive shaft safety loop
15. Data logging device
16. Take Mark up on his offer !!!!!

[Jim1855]

Tony & Mark,

Thank you for the advice & info. Tony's list has things that I would never have thought of but certainly enhance the final project. Mark I will call but let me work through my thoughts first.

Gentlemen your experience and willingness to share is greatly appreciated.

??? Should this thread remain in the Introduction section or be moved to another area. I don't want to violate forum etiquette and clutter up the intro area.

Jim

[Jim1855]

I'm behind, fairly normal. I am plotting an planning a build, just not sure when things will start. Budgets force cautious planning.

I have a few questions on engine location, IRS and wheel/tire sizes. While I expect to start with a Challenge car there is no intention to compete in the series so the rules are not an issue. All assistance is appreciated as is conversation on the topics.

Fronts first. How wide of a tire can be run in the front. I've been using 275/40/17 on 9 to 9-1/2" wheels, will this size fit? Otherwise what is the widest that will fit?

Rears. I have lots of experience with 315 or 335/35/17 on 10-1/2 to 11" wheels for the rear. Will these sizes fit on a MKIV or Challenge car chassis?

I do not expect to use the Pin Drive IRS, what do I need to look for standard 5-lug wheels?

The plan is for IRS. Are there advantages with the Challenge car's standard 3-link or the LevyRacing 5-link? I am trying to learn about the various suspension configurations but I'm not finding all that I'd hoped for specifically related to the FFR chassis

Engine fore/aft location, Windsor block. Is there a known or possibly tape measured distance from the front wheel centerline to the front of the block or other identifiable surface or perhaps the front of the right or left head. It seems that the engine in the FFR chassis is further back than I'm accustomed to.

Again if my questions should be in another part of the forum please point me to the proper section.

Thanks,

Jim